In vitro production of testosterone and plasma levels of luteinising hormone, testosterone and cortisol in male rats treated with heptachlor.
Male rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. Rats were injected subcutaneously with different concentrations of heptachlor for 2 weeks. Heptachlor at all doses significantly suppressed plasma testosterone levels (P < 0.05). Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) (P < 0.01) and cortisol (P < 0.02) levels were significantly elevated in heptachlor-treated rats as compared to corn oil-treated controls. LH and testosterone levels showed strong correlation (r = 0.69, P < 0.05). The testes in rats treated with 25 mg/kg body weight of heptachlor showed some pathological changes. We conclude that heptachlor causes adverse effects on several male reproductive parameters in rats.
Wango
E O
EO
Reproductive Biology Unit, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Onyango
D W
DW
Odongo
H
H
Okindo
E
E
Mugweru
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival; D006533:Heptachlor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016014:Linear Models; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*
D007306:Insecticides; D013739:Testosterone; D006533:Heptachlor; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone